This map is a step in the right direction, because naming those areas of the country who aren't doing very well and pointing in the direction of areas which are doing very well means that they can copy best practice and just get on with making people have access to a diagnosis.

– Alison Cook, Alzheimer's Society

She said that just being diagnosed can help patients by providing access to advice, social care and by enabling them to plan for their future.

Broadcaster and Alzheimer's Society ambassador Angela Rippon told ITV News that dementia sufferers are fearful of leaving their homes because some communities do not understand their condition.

When asked why some people are reluctant to leave their homes, Rippon said:

She added: "If you have a society where people don't understand the needs of people with dementia, don't understand how to recognise it, the support that someone with dementia needs, then obviously as an individual you are going to withdraw back inside yourself.

"You're not going to want to go out into the public and be humiliated in that way."

Dementia is a "time bomb", according to Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt, and the Government will be "backing" any community actively supporting local sufferers.

It is estimated that 800,000 people suffer from dementia in the UK. It has been estimated that the figure will soar to 1.7 million by 2051.

The dementia timebomb is one of the most pressing challenges this country faces in the years ahead.

We have made real progress in starting to tackle this challenge, with over £50 million going towards dementia friendly health and care environments, and the first ever G8 Dementia Research Summit to be held in December this year.

But this report makes clear that we need to go further and faster to change attitudes and build awareness in our communities.

This government is backing communities to give people with dementia all the help and support they need to live well with this illness.

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More needs to be done to prevent dementia sufferers from leading a reclusive life, the Alzheimer's Society has warned. Credit: PA

More than 180,000 of all dementia sufferers feel "trapped in their own homes" by the disease, a charity has warned.

The Alzheimer' Society - which assists numerous dementia, Alzheimer and other cognitive impairment patients and their families - said only a third (35%) of sufferers feel brave enough to leave their home once a week.

The Alzheimer's Society cautiously welcomed Sussex Police's plans to use GPS locating devices to trace dementia patients, but stressed that the tracking system should not replace care.

In some circumstances and when appropriate consent is given, GPS tracking can enable a person with dementia to remain independent for longer, providing them and their carer with peace of mind.

But we must balance the potential advantages to the individual and the protection of a person's civil liberties. Any tracking system must support and never replace good quality care.

Alzheimer's Society understands the safety of people with dementia is an important issue to address and people with dementia and carers have told us that they welcome technology like this if used in the right way.

– Jeremy Hughes, chief executive of the Alzheimer's Society

Hughes added that the society is working with organisations such as the Association of Chief Police Officers and the Missing Persons Bureau to ensure people with dementia feel secure and included in their communities wherever they live.

Richard Briers became an Alzheimer's Society ambassador in 2007, after his poignant role in the TV drama Dad where he played the husband of a person with dementia.

Richard Briers was a keen and committed campaigner for Alzheimer's Society. In his role as an ambassador Richard has used his high profile and wit to support other families facing their own battles with the condition.

From lobbying MPs on the injustice of charging for life-enhancing dementia treatments to delivering some of the most entertaining after lunch speeches, Richard always sought to raise the profile of dementia whenever he could.

From all his friends and fans at Alzheimer's Society, our deepest condolences go to his wife Annie and his two daughters, Lucy and Katie.